[ 53 ] 
building, with the expectation, that if a thunder- 
cloud fhould happen to pafs near this apparatus, 
fome quantity of the lightning depolited therein 
would probably be collected in the rod, by means 
of the very (harp point, and the eleCtrical ftand at 
the foot of the rod 
That this contrivance anfwered the end he fir ft 
propofed, we have had fufficient evidence. 
And it is no wonder if, after this great difeovery, 
we find him, and other electricians, purfuing new 
experiments of this kind, and railing thofe points 
higher into the air, to colleCt ftill greater quantities 
of that fluid which occafions lightning. Nor need 
we be furprized, after knowing that lightning could 
be brought down from the heavens by fo Ample an 
apparatus, and after experiencing its fubtile effects 
to be fimilar with the eleCtric fluid, that the Ame- 
ricans, and others, upon Dr. Franklin’s recommenda- 
tion, adopted the principle of fecuring their buildings 
from its dangerous effeCts, by railing above their 
houfes rods of iron, very farply pointed, and apply- 
ing wires from the ends of thofe rods, down the out- 
fide of their houfes, to the ground. 
But though there appeared many arguments at 
that time in favour of fuch conductors, yet experi- 
ments and obfervations, at laft, induced Dr. Frank- 
lin. to alter his, opinion in refpeCt to thofe wires , and' 
to fubftitute in their place rods of iron : ftill retaining 
the principle of having the rods at the top far ply: 
pointed ; and many of the Americans, as well as 
Europeans, approved of the alteration, as appeared 
afterwards, from conftruCting their conductors ac- 
cordingly. 
About: 
